The Dingo is a beautiful free-roaming dog commonly found in Australia. I picked the Dingo in this illustration because growing up in the 90’s, “The Dingo ate my baby” had become indelible, thanks to Seinfeld. It makes a fitting metaphor in our Christian walk in the sense that a predator can easily prey on the babe, the one who has just begun to walk with Christ (1 Peter 2:2-3).
The phrase “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (from Matthew 7:15) is so commonly used that even non-Christians adopt the expression to be wary of people who appear to be something they are not. Being that we are in the last days, we can only expect a proliferation of false teachers who try to take us away from the Word (1 Timothy 4:1).
Love for God and One Another
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:1-6
Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God – It is established not all who profess Jesus are true disciples, so we line up the talk with their fruit. Jesus ministered to everyone, but it is not to be interpreted that He condones unrighteous lifestyles since He IS without sin. The world believes that His love trumps His just nature. Some of us will never come across people from WP in person, but what’s unique to this platform is being able to easily line up one’s walk manifested in their talk with God’s Word.
They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them – What kind of audience do you attract? If the world does not find any of what you are saying offensive, chances are the gospel you are preaching appeals to the flesh. Jesus said his disciples will be hated on account of His name. We can be as diplomatic as we can as His followers and since the world hated Him without cause (John 15:25), we can expect to be treated in the same manner, except by those whose hearts are being changed by the message.
God’s Word is the standard, not feelings. Do not be deceived.
[Image: SE result via beauty-animal]
